As emotions envelop the country after the passing of Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew, ministers are turning toward social media to express what the former prime minister meant to them.

Law Minister K Shanmugam posted an especially emotional tribute where he recounted how his family's background did not get in the away of achieving more in life - and attributed it to Lee Kuan Yew and his policies.

Minister of Parliament for the Marine Parade GRC Tin Pei Ling said that she "admired" him for Mr Lee's "courage to lead Singapore, a tiny new nation, when there were so many unknown and help Singapore chart new frontiers".

Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng changed his profile picture to a ribbon with an image of Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Many Singaporeans online have since changed their profile photos to that image as a way to pay respect.